Sean Combs to receive honorary doctorate

WASHINGTON — Entertainer and entrepreneur Sean Combs will deliver Howard University’s 146th commencement speech May 10 in Washington. The school announced that Combs will receive an honorary doctorate in the humanities as a trailblazer in his field. Combs was a Howard student in the late 1980s.

He went on to create his Puff Daddy persona and built his own business and brand. University Interim President Wayne Frederick says Combs’ entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at Howard.

“In selecting the individuals who will be awarded honorary degrees, Howard University continues the tradition of identifying leaders whose work has clearly contributed to the advancement of their fields and the world,” Frederick said. “We are honored to have Mr. Combs serve as our speaker. He sat in classrooms where our students sit, walked ‘The Yard,’ and like many students, his entrepreneurial spirit was sparked at Howard. We know he will inspire our class to work hard and to always strive for excellence.”

Combs is chairman, chief executive officer and founder of Combs Enterprises, one of the world’s preeminent group of companies and brands. Recently declared “One of the Most Influential Businessmen in the World” by Time Magazine and CNN, Combs is known as a brand builder, pop culture icon and champion of youth education and entrepreneurship. Under the Combs Enterprises umbrella, he oversees a broad range of businesses including Bad Boy Entertainment; Sean John; Combs Wines and Spirits – Ciroc Vodka and DeLeon

Tequila; and the Blue Flame Agency. Last year he launched an all-music TV channel, Revolt, aiming to create the ESPN of music. It airs in about 20 million U.S. homes.